Preparing Chinese New Year Chun Juan

Chun Juan, also known as Spring Rolls, is a popular Chinese dish often enjoyed during the Chinese New Year and other festive occasions. We have prepared a more conventional recipe for spring rolls for other times of the year if you fancy trying these. Here’s a simple recipe to make our version of Chinese New Year Chun Juan for 4 people:

Ingredients

For the Filling

• 1 cup finely shredded cabbage
• 1 cup julienned carrots
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1 cup thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms
• 1 cup cooked and cooled vermicelli noodles
• 1/2 cup chopped spring onions (scallions)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for cooking

For the Wrappers

• 12-16 spring roll wrappers (spring roll skins)

For Dipping Sauce

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Optional: chili sauce or minced garlic for added flavor

Preparation

1. Prepare the Filling:
   • In a large pan or wok, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
   • Add minced garlic and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
   • Add shredded cabbage, julienned carrots, bean sprouts, shiitake mushrooms, and chopped spring onions. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are slightly tender but still crisp.
   • Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
   • Add cooked vermicelli noodles to the vegetable mixture. Stir and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
   • Remove the filling from heat and let it cool.
2. Prepare the Wrappers:
   • If using frozen spring roll wrappers, make sure to thaw them according to the package instructions.
   • Lay out a spring roll wrapper on a clean surface with one corner facing you (diamond shape).
3. Assemble the Spring Rolls:
   • Place 2-3 tablespoons of the cooled filling near the bottom corner of the wrapper.
   • Fold the bottom corner over the filling and tuck it under the filling.
   • Fold the side corners over the filling, forming an envelope shape.
   • Roll the wrapper upwards tightly, sealing the top corner with a bit of water to ensure it sticks.
4. Repeat:
   • Repeat the process until all the filling is used or the desired number of spring rolls is reached.
5. Deep-Fry or Bake:
   • Heat oil in a deep fryer or a large, deep pan to 350-375°F (175-190°C).
   • Carefully deep-fry the spring rolls until they are golden brown and crispy (about 3-5 minutes).
   • Alternatively, you can brush the spring rolls with oil and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Prepare Dipping Sauce:
   • In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil to make the dipping sauce. Adjust the ingredients to taste.
   • Optional: Add chili sauce or minced garlic to the dipping sauce for extra flavor.
7. Serve:
   • Serve the Chun Juan hot with the dipping sauce on the side.

Enjoy your homemade Chun Juan Spring Rolls!